Every company uses wood and paper-based products on a daily basis, be that paper for printing and packaging or wood in construction, or as office furniture. Decisions about the purchase and use of forest products can have extensive and long-term consequences on environmental, social and economic values of forests. As demand for wood increases, and the competition for forest products intensifies, companies need to take better decisions on sourcing to support and incentivise sustainable forest management and the responsible consumption of forest resources.

New guide enables informed decisions about forest products

In order to help companies make informed choices on the forest-based products they purchase and use, the Forest Solutions Group of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute (WRI) jointly developed and released the Sustainable Procurement Guide for wood and paper-based products. Now in its third edition, the guide and associated resource kit provide an overview on forests and their management and explain the 10 most critical issues underpinning the procurement of forest products, including sourcing, legality, and environmental and social aspects.

The guide also introduces existing tools, resources and initiatives, and outlines their relevance and utility in addressing each of the 10 issues. Finally the guide clarifies the maze of terms surrounding forest management, which often stand in the way of effective action and communication when sourcing forest products. All in all, the guide enables corporate managers to develop their own procurement policies – a must-have for all companies in building and retaining consumer confidence in their product offerings, including the use of paper packaging or other timber components.

10 questions to ask about the procurement of wood and paper-based products

1. Where do the products come from?

2. Is information about the products credible?

3. Have the products been legally produced?

4. Have forests been sustainably managed?

5. Have special forests been protected?

6. Have climate issues been addressed?

7. Have appropriate environmental controls been applied?

8. Has recycled fibre been used appropriately?

9. Have other resources been used appropriately?

10. Have the needs of local communities or indigenous peoples been addressed?

Since its first release in 2008, the guide has been used by a variety of stakeholders and regularly updated and enhanced. Released in 2012, the third edition incorporates the most up-to-date developments on legality, new technological improvements to control wood and paper supply chains and increase their transparency, and an expanded chapter on the social implications of forest products. The companion website, was also enhanced with improved navigation, visual presentation and search-ability.

Forest sector is a major player in global economy and forests are part of our daily life

Forests play a critical role for the global environment, population and economy. The forest-based sector employs 14 million workers, with a commercial output of about 1% of global GDP. About half a billion people directly depend on forests for their livelihoods, while hundreds of thousands of businesses and we all rely on them for fibre and raw materials. But with deforestation causing ecosystem losses valued at about $2-5tn annually, companies and consumers must take action in order to maintain the world's forests for the future. One such action involves seeking out sustainably produced wood and paper-based goods. An increasing demand for legal and sustainable forest products will bring more of the world's forests under responsible management, delivering ecological services, involving forest communities and ultimately enabling sustainable socio-economic development.

Sustainable forest management means to manage and use forest resources in a way that retains their growth and vitality, ecological functions and biodiversity and social values, while also meeting society's needs today, without interfering with the needs of future generations.

The WBCSD and WRI guide cuts through any confusion about how business can contribute to using sustainable forest products and maintaining this crucial natural resource.